The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has proposed that newly designed aeroplane types meet a CO2 standard from January 1 2020, and that aeroplane types already in production meet a separate CO2 standard starting from January 1 2023.

The objective of this, EASA says, is to incentivise the incorporation of the latest fuel efficiency technology into aeroplane designs, and to address the predicted increase in CO2 emissions.

The Opinion submitted to the European Commission also includes a new Particulate Matter emissions standard for aircraft engines from January 1 2020.

Paris Agreement

These new aviation environmental standards will contribute to improved local air quality and to the overall climate change objectives of the Paris Agreement which is being discussed at the UN climate change conference in Bonn this month.

“Ensuring that aviation contributes to the goal of mitigating climate change is important for EASA who led the work on the aeroplane CO2 standard,” said Executive Director Patrick Ky.

Aviation cleans up?

FINN's editor-in-chief, Alan Peaford, recently looked at the innovation going on in aviation to clean up the industry's act. Read the full post.

He writes: "The environmental challenge to aviation is nothing new. The industry has in the past been dismissive and defensive but is now moving towards constructive. Technology and innovation are finally delivering the green shoots of sustainability."